Center receives patent on paint-removal process

  • Published
  • By Lisa Mathews
  • Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  Warner Robins Air Logistics Center experts here received a patent on a barrier coating and selective coating-removal process used to fight corrosion on aircraft and weapons systems, a feat experts said is rare for maintenance facilities.

Officials said the patented process is good for the environment, good for the center and good for the Air Force because it seals “chromated” primer. Chromates are considered carcinogens and removing the primer creates large volumes of hazardous waste, which causes safety concerns for those painting and removing the paint.

It is not uncommon for an Air Force research facility to receive a patent, but they are few and far between at maintenance facilities, said Richard Slife, of the maintenance directorate.

"The barrier coating and selective coating-removal technology was the result of years of study and laboratory testing," Mr. Slife said.

The new system removes only the topcoat, and the barrier layer underneath does not contain hazardous material like that found in the chromated primer, he said. Once the topcoat of paint is removed using water or a dry media rather than hazardous chemicals, the paint-removal process is stopped, leaving the barrier coating and primer in place.

An added bonus is that stripping the paint to the barrier coating reduces damage to the aircraft and prolongs the integrity of the frame, he said. Repeatedly removing paint down to the metal eventually reduces the material strength.

The new process will allow experts to remove the topcoat, barrier and chromated primer in very limited areas where they might need to inspect for corrosion or cracking. At the same time, the chromated primer and barrier coating is left on undamaged areas, reducing excessive hazardous waste, Mr. Slife said.

The first aircraft undergoing the paint-removal process down to the barrier coating will be an F-15 Eagle scheduled to arrive here in September or October. The barrier coating was applied to this aircraft three years ago.

The new process can be used on any aircraft and any weapon system. Also, Mr. Slife said there is a great deal of nonmilitary interest in the process. He has received requests for information from commercial-aircraft companies and from companies interested in removing graffiti from buildings. (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)